Ondo State Acting Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has urged the residents of Ore/Odigbo in Odigbo Local Government to remain calm and avoid any actions that could lead to a disruption of law and order.
Aiyedatiwa made this plea while addressing the inhabitants of the Ore/Odigbo communities following their peaceful demonstration against the perceived imposition of a caretaker chairman in Odigbo Local Government.
This information was conveyed through a statement issued by Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson, the Press Secretary at the Office of the Acting Governor.
Speaking in front of the Governor’s Office in Alagbaka Akure on Tuesday, the Acting Governor commended the demonstrators for their peaceful conduct and thanked them for their consistent support of the Ondo State government.
“You have done well by coming here to register your displeasure over the perceived or possible imposition of caretaker chairman in your Local Government, I must tell you that, this is just perception because Local Government election is not holding this year, it will hold next year according to Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission ( ODIEC )”, he said.
“Even when the tenure of the current chairman of council expires, it is the responsibility of government and the ruling party to appoint caretaker chairman, even at that, we will expect the leaders in the various local governments make inputs into the appointments.”
He encouraged community leaders to engage with both the State Government and the ruling party to ensure peace and harmony in the State. He also implored the people to continue praying for peaceful coexistence, assuring them that their concerns would be addressed and advising them to resist opportunistic elements trying to exploit the situation for personal gain.
Hon. Jimi Akinyan and Hon Olafunmiloye Femi, speaking on behalf of the protesters, thanked the Acting Governor for his attention. They appealed for the consideration of Ore/Odigbo natives in the appointment of the caretaker chairman for Odigbo Local Government and expressed anticipation for ongoing interactions.
In attendance at the protest to engage with demonstrators were Acting Governor Aiyedatiwa, Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, Hon Olatunji Ifabiyi (Ondo State House of Assembly Member representing Odigbo Constituency 1), Pastor Kayode Ogundele (Head of Service), Mr Dare Aragbaye (Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters and Special Duties), Akogun Adetunji Adeleye (Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters), Dr Doyin Odebowale (SSA to Governor on Special Duties), Prince Segun Omojuwa (Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor’s Office of the Acting Governor), Ladi Okunniga (Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media), and others.
